H Rita Carpenter's Obituary
Carpenter, H. Rita Rita Carpenter, 95, was born February 25, 1914 in Memphis, MI, and died March 14, 2009 in Fayetteville, AR. Rita graduated from Alma (MI) High School in 1931 and received her R.N. degree from Hurley Hospital School of Nursing, Flint, MI in 1935. She lived and worked as a Registered Nurse in Chicago for several years, first at Cook County Hospital and subsequently as Assistant to the Director of Nursing at Henroten Hospital. Rita pursued postgraduate Nursing studies at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. On May 24, 1941 Rita and Max M. Carpenter began a wonderful marriage which lasted fifty-five years. During World War II Rita taught Nursing for the American Red Cross. Max and Rita had one daughter, Nancy, born in 1946. The family lived in Detroit, Flint, and Grand Blanc, MI; Rita and Max moved to Fayetteville, AR in 1979. In Flint, Rita was active as a Girl Scout leader, PTA leader, Deacon in First Presbyterian Church, and mentor to students in the public schools. In Fayetteville she was an active member of First United Presbyterian Church and PEO Chapter AT, as well as other community organizations. Rita was predeceased by husband Max on October 6, 1996; two brothers: Harris and Gordon Gorringe; and five sisters: Frances Brown, Lois Potter, Betty Toth, Dorothy Rich, and Bonita White. She is survived by brother Dr. William Gorringe and sister-in-law Margaret Gorringe of Frankenmuth, MI; sister-in-law Dorothy (Mrs. Gordon) Gorringe of West Unity, OH; sister-in-law Grace (Mrs. Harris) Gorringe of Pittsford, MI; daughter and son-in-law Dr. Nancy Carpenter Hammond and Phil Hammond of Tulsa, OK; grandson Mark Hammond of Tulsa, OK; niece Sandra Oxender of West Unity, OH; and many other nieces and nephews. Services under direction of Nelson-Berna Funeral Home, Fayetteville. Memorial service 3:30 PM Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at Butterfield Trail Village, 1923 E. Joyce Blvd, Fayetteville. Memorial gifts may be directed to First United Presbyterian Church, 695 E. Calvin St., Fayetteville, AR 72703; or the Educational Loan Fund of PEO Sisterhood, 3700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312-2899. To sign the online guest book go to www.nelsonberna.com
What’s your fondest memory of H?
What’s a lesson you learned from H?
Share a story where H's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with H you’ll never forget.
How did H make you smile?